Anyone who ventures down an electronics aisle in the store will see scores of games made for the Wii, and while many of those are purely fun, there are several options for people which will help them get fit and lose weight.
Wii Fit Has a Weight Loss Plan
Wii Fit was one of the first fitness games on the market, and is probably still the most popular. It uses the balance board to communicate with the console. It keeps track of the players weight and BMI, and helps the player set weight loss goals. It has games in four areas:
- strength training
- aerobics
- yoga
- balance games
Wii Fit Plus debuted in October of 2009 and features new games and additions. It estimates calories burned, and has a tool to weigh pets.
The Wii Fit games focus on making exercising fun, and many have seen results from these games. The hard-core fitness guru will probably think them too easy, but the couch potato may not even realize he's burning some calories.
My Fitness Challenge is an Exercise Workout
Another one of the first fitness games, My Fitness Challenge remains popular, and is reasonably priced for a Wii game. This game has a virtual trainer, who helps you in 500 exercises to improve flexibility, cardiovascular fitness, and strength training. It's fully customizable to the player, down to the type of music he likes to hear while working out. Players do not need a balance board to play this game.
Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum: Be Your Own Biggest Loser
Want to be motivated like the people on The Biggest Loser? Players can welcome Jillian MIchaels into their living room to cheer them on! These games are compatible with the balance board, and again, the player can again customize the games according to their needs. Jillian will come up with activities in either weight loss, strength training, intervals or hill climb.
The 2009 edition of the Jillian Michaels' game received less than stellar ratings, according to Amazon, but a revised edition in 2010 seems to be doing better. With fitness tips from Jillian, a six month goal feature, and better technology, the 2010 edition may be the better choice.
A Home Workout: EA Sports Active
Developed in part by famous trainer Bob Greene, Active has some new features and accessories to set it apart. While still trying to keep it fun, this game steps up the workouts. Those who want a challenge will definitely see the pounds dropping if they stick to the trainer's plan in this game.
Like the other games, Active has cardio and strength training activities, along with some more fun games designed to appeal to the younger audience. New accessories that come with the game are:
- a leg strap to hold the nunchuk to monitor leg movement in activities such as kick-boxing and jogging
- resistance bands to step up the strength training.
Your Shape Promotes Weight Loss
Your Shape is the newest fitness game in the Wii aisle, and it features Jenny McCarthy as a workout partner. While the games seems to be similar to the others in content, the hardware is vastly different. Instead of using the Wii remote or nunchuk, Your Shape comes with a camera that watches you while you're working out. It displays your image next to Jenny's so you can correct form, and ultimately get a better workout.
Another different feature of this game is that if a person has exercise equipment like free weights or a balance ball, Your Shape will incorporate them into the workout.
While many view the Nintendo Wii as a toy, it has proved useful to those trying to get in shape and lose weight. Use of games like Wii Fit, EA Sports Active, or Your Shape can assist those trying to achieve weight loss goals by making working out fun and less expensive than a gym membership.
Laura Wilson - Relatively new to the writing community, Laura Wilson is spending time writing about children, parenting, health, and education. She ...
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